SSE Hydro, GlasgowOn a stage that resembles a futuristic pirate ship, the folk-rockers try to be epic and intimate – but their new material sends them adriftU2 brought us the claw, then Arcade Fire the boxing ring. How to characterise Mumford & Sons’ contribution to in-the-round stage architecture? A long rectangular structure with stepped platforms at its extremities and a complex dynamic lighting rig suspended from the ceiling that unfurls like mechanical sails, one could fancifully compare their staging to a futuristic pirate ship. A less generous observer might remark on its resemblance to one of those ugly barges used to cart rubbish. It’s a bizarre construction, spectacular in its blandness.From the deck of this planet-bound vessel, Marcus Mumford and his crew of notional sons launch what they call “by far the most ambitious show we’ve put together yet” in support of their new album, Delta. It’s so ambitious it has forced the London folk-rock quartet to reschedule several UK dates to give them time to iron out “unforeseen technical and logistical challenges”. This is a surprising planning failure from such a successful band and, to be fair, Mumford does tonight acknowledge that it has left some fans feeling “really pissed off”. A live experience designed to bring the band closer to their public than the average enormodome concert hasn’t had the cosiest of starts. Continue reading…
Via: Mumford & Sons review – ambitious tour sets sail on a sea of mediocrity
Categories: English News